Two dead in small plane crash near Hastings

Two men
have died after the small plane they were in crashed near
Hastings this morning.

Police were notified of the crash
at 11.24am after another plane flying in the area spotted
the crashed Tomahawk in a riverbed parallel to SH50 near the
small settlement of Maraekakaho. The Lowe rescue helicopter
was sent immediately to the scene and found the two men dead
in the crashed plane.

The small plane was owned by the
Bridge Pa Aero Club and was believed to be practising low
flying in the area. At this stage, it is unknown why the
plane crashed. The Civil Aviation Authority has been
notified and is on its way to the scene.

Access to the
crash site is difficult and it cannot be seen from the road.
There is significant damage to the plane, which is currently
sitting in about 1m of water.

All emergency services are
currently making their way to the scene.

The two people in
the plane have not yet been identified and their names will
not be released until all family have been
notified.

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